After being asked to write a history of the club for our 25th anniversary celebrations during the 1998 season, my first thought was how on earth can I catalogue a quarter of a century just like that. But this is history; Nomad history; something very special; something worth recalling.
My intentions are to give a brief history and in doing so I shall not go into details of matches and performances mainly because I do not have scorebooks at my disposal from over the years and so I will also have to rely mainly on memory. Please do not get upset if you are not mentioned, remember in 26 years I have known many cricketers and some very good ones at that.
Back in the beginning during the Autumn 1972, at a meeting called by Dick Barnard and myself, held in the works canteen of Metal Fabrications, Ashton Road, Luton, Luton Nomads was formed. This meeting was brought about by Dick's club, Luton Water CC and mine, Paladin CC both experiencing difficulties at this time.
Luton Water Company was about to be taken over, and Dick made it very clear that under no circumstances would the new company have anything to do with "his beloved cricket team". Paladin's difficulties were slightly different in that we were a works team and the company had moved to Amersham. Although we carried on for several seasons, raising a team was becoming more of a problem.
Dick and I both recognised the benefits that amalgamation would bring and at a well attended meeting everyone was in agreement to the merger and to the name Luton Nomads.
On that night the Founder members included -
The late Dick Barnard, Alan Barnard, David Barnard, Phil Ainsworth, Con Alder, Roy Hedge, Roy Standring, Derek Blowers, Brian Shaw, John Orlopp, Doug Cannon, Alan Waterhouse, Jim Cox, Eric Doyle, Fred Woodhouse and the late Jim Collen.
A wonderful bunch of cricketers and drinkers and that pattern has been continued throughout the years.
I unfortunately arrived late, having had car problems. only to find myself elected Club Chairman, a position I still hold and may I add what a great honour this has been.
Dick accepted the Secretary's job and soon had a fixture list in the making as well as pulling strings in obtaining the use of the much loved Wardown Park pitch, over 20 years ago this was an achievement as so many of today's councils pitches belonged to works team. Dick retired in 1988 after having worked relentlessly from the beginning and he will be fondly remembered, not least for his rousing speech at the 1994 dinner, our 21st anniversary, when presenting the Dick Barnard Trophy.
Graham Simpson took over the job and continued in the same manner until 1997 when our Julie Hull took post and now the boots are filled by Kevin Goodchild.
The first treasurer, Roy Hedge, well be remembered for producing a small slip of paper at the AGM revealing the club's financial position. He was succeeded by Con Alder who updated the accounting system for future treasurers, Paul Nayyar, Theresa Hudson and now myself to produce balance sheets.
In those early days and indeed for many years we held one meeting a year, the AGM. Committee meetings did not seem necessary however Dick and Myself after leaving finance to the treasurer and the sorting out of the teams to the skipper met at the Silver Lion in Lilley on Thursday evenings to deal with all other issues.
This worked very well and as the club became more established a dinner and presentations night seemed about right and for several years David Barnard took control of doing a brilliant job for the fore runner of the dinners as we know them today.
As so often happened in many clubs about the mid 80's we struck a minor crisis which resulted in us having to build the club up again. At this point we were joined by Rob Everett a very fine all rounder and just the influence we needed especially as skipper.
We were soon back on our feet and the dinner and presentations which were unfortunately dropped for a couple of seasons were re-introduced and still feature today.
Gaining admissions to the Luton Mid Week league was a big coup for the club and I well remember our first victory at the Leagrave Park, Luton. The opponents were Sundon Park and skipper Roy Standring opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate. We carried on for a season or two but had to drop out for a number of years. We re-entered the league in the late 70's with the view of bringing youngsters into the Nomads ranks, and this policy proved very successful and we soon moved up the various divisions.
Several of the youngsters moved up into the senior side, namely Keith Standring who on leaving the Nomads went on to captain Luton Town and played for Bedfordshire. Mark Doherty the young skipper of that side, still batting as well as ever for us. Paul Nayyar developed into a very useful bowler and a successful skipper and Dominic Scott who also captained the midweek side.
Another feather in Nomads cap has been that during the mid 90's for three seasons, the Save The Children Charity has invited us to play against a celebrity team on their fund raising day. Not only has this been a wonderful day out but great to be amongst the stars. During the 1996 season one of our youth team, Ian Laidler, put himself in the history book by capturing the star attraction, Allan Lamb's wicket after he had plundered 52 off 21 balls.
We were also founder members of the Chiltern Village league and held the honour of being the first champions and again two seasons later. This competition continues to bring out the best in us as we always are up there with the leaders.
Our latest youth policy has shown great dividends with the 16 and 15 years old breaking through into the senior side. These youngsters have been coached by Graham Simpson and Martin Smith and will provide the basis of the Nomads side for years to come.
Recent years has found us settled at Crawley Green Road Recreation Ground where we have full use of the sports club which incidentally we were members before a brick was laid. This facility has been a major step in the Nomad's putting down roots and we thank Ian Freeman and the committee for making us so welcome and allowing us full use of all amenities.
Our president for many years was the late Harry Fletcher, my old boss who saved Nomads money by allowing me to conduct my cricket business from work. He was responsible for the prestigious Nomad of the year award.
Of our founder members three became vice presidents. First elected was Brian Swain and his cup is given each year for the best performance of the season. The other two Alan Barnard and Phil Ainsworth (now president) whose award is for the most improved player. Other awards played for each season are the very much converted Dick Barnard Trophy given to the club many season ago for the player of the year. Awards are also given for the Best Bowler and the Best Batsman of the year.
I do sincerely hope in the short time that was available I have been able to give you some insight into the beginning of Luton Nomads Cricket Club and the following 26 seasons, and as I climb over heaps of scrap paper I humbly apologise for any inaccuracy, loss of memory and once again to anyone who feels they have been left out.
I have always been so very proud of this club and all the truly wonderful bunch of players, wives, girlfriends and children it has been my good fortune to meet. I hope I have managed to convey some of this enjoyment and hope that you have enjoyed reading about our history.
A Nomadic Thank you
